Tesco IHT and more protest in Banbridge

William Taylor, FFA co-ordinator, stated: “Yet again credit must go to our young farmers and older farmers who handed out 350 leaflets in just two hours to shoppers leaving Tesco, then just as we ran out of leaflets at the appropriate time the surprise of the night arrived. Noise filled the Tesco car park and Agricultural Contractor William Megaw in his giant self propelled fodder beet harvester parked outside Tesco’s front door. This was followed by a row of already present tractors for the finale of the night. Megaw Contractors had been harvesting beet in Killyleagh and made the detour on the way home to help the protest.”

Samuel Morrison, FFA stated: “FFA are playing their part in IHT Phase 2 and more protests across the UK and with all the protests that have gone on in GB the least that family farmers in Northern Ireland can do is play their part!”

Next week, on Thursday 5 March from 6pm to 10pm, the sixth week of Phase 2 IHT and more protests will finish in Fermanagh at Tesco Enniskillen.

Samuel continued: “Replies from 11 of the largest UK food retailers, Tesco included, are anticipated or otherwise by 1 March. Letters sent to the large food retailers from FFA, respectfully representing many farm organisations across the UK early in the protests, asked four reasonable questions including their support to lobby Government for the removal of IHT and to put in place a UK-wide Farm Welfare Bill to ensure farmers receive a minimum of the true cost of production inflation linked plus a margin for their produce. A letter was also sent to Rachel Reeves to explain the requests to the retailers and a letter will again be sent to her, when the retailers replies are received or otherwise.”

The final protest takes place next Thursday. Check out Farmers For Action Northern Ireland Facebook page for all the details. Tractors, pick-ups and wellies very welcome!